Sedona AZ (March 14, 2018) – If you know how scammers work, you will be better prepared to recognize a scam and not fall victim. Learn how to protect yourself from a scammer!
Every few months, scammers re-try their tactics within a community they’ve already hit. Recent reports to the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office include receiving a phone call identified by Caller ID as a local number....

Sedona AZ (January 13, 2018) – In late December 2017, a 42-year-old Prescott man contacted the Sheriff’s Office to report losing money in the ‘jury warrant scam.’ The victim had received a call purportedly from a deputy at the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office and was told he had a $4000 warrant for his arrest because he was a no show for jury duty. The scam suspect indicated that if the...

Sedona AZ (December 22, 2017) – As we enter this holiday season, we want to remind you that scams are constantly evolving and going in and out of fashion. Here is a list to remind you of scams that we will call the “top 10.”
1. Natural disaster scams
Scammers are always the real “first responders” with charity scams and assistance scams related to natural disasters such as hurricanes/fire/floods....

Sedona AZ (December 9, 2016) – Over the past 24-48 hours, the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office has received multiple reports of fraudulent activities which are being investigated. Do not fall victim to these or other fraudulent schemes! Be aware that scammers often use fear and bullying tactics to coerce their victims, so fear not! Contact local law enforcement immediately to help stop these...

Sedona AZ (September 30, 2015) – The Arizona Attorney General’s Office recently issued a scam alert warning Arizonans of an aggressive “fake lottery” targeting seniors. The scam starts with a phone call from a person who falsely claims to be affiliated with Mega Millions. Seniors are told they’ve won the Mega Millions lottery and are asked to pay thousands of dollars...

Article written by Chief of Police Raymond O. Cota and submitted by the City of Sedona AZ
Sedona AZ (September 9, 2015) – According to Javelin Strategy and Research, a company that conducts in-depth research and studies on consumer fraud and security, 12.7 million Americans became a victim of identity fraud in 2014. This number translates to someone becoming a victim of identity fraud nearly...

Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office returns money to an IRS tax fraud victim
Sedona AZ (August 6, 2015) – In late June of this year, a 64-year-old Prescott, Arizona, resident reported the loss of $10,000 in an apparent IRS phone scam. She told deputies that she cares for her special needs brother and owes $9,000 in back taxes to the IRS on his behalf. She recently paid the IRS more than $5,000...

Sedona AZ (July 28, 2015) – The following computer scam alert information is from Anthony Palermo, Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office community liaison:
I have a “company” on the phone telling me of problems with my computer etc. and, because I know this is a scam, I just hang up.
Today, I received a call from a woman who told me the same story, but she admitted that she gave the caller...

Sedona AZ (June 19, 2015) – A 77-year-old Chino Valley resident called the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office on June 15, 2015, to report a fraud. The man told YCSO deputies that on Thursday, June 11, 2015, he received a cell phone call from a number with an 876 area code. This area code identifies the country of Jamaica, home base for suspects who victimize thousands each year.
The suspect/caller...